Signal-box



(No Model.)

J. o. W1LSON.

SIGNAL BOX.

Patented Mar we cams versus col, Fuero-mum, wnsmuuromp. c.

Ais

:ilitrrnn STATES Pnrnr triest .I Ol IN C. VILSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE MUNICIPAL SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

SIGNAL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 448,400, dated March 17, 1891. Application filed May 17, 1887. Renewed February 18, 1891. Serial No. 381,809. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN C. VILSON, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massaeh usetts, have invented an Improvement in Signal-Boxes, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a speciflcatiornlike letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to provide ro a signal-box with a multiple signal-transmitting apparatus, whereby several different signals maybe transmitted at the will of the operator; and the invention consists in the combination, with the contact-pen, of a series of r 5 signaling-surfaces movable in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation of the conta-ctpen to present one or another signaling-surface to the contact-pen. The signaling-surfaces are moved, preferably, by a pointer, while a suitable motor mechanism is employed to rotate the contact-pen.

Figure l shows in front elevation a signalboX, the face-plate of which is broken away to display the signal-transmitting apparatus in elevation; and Fig. 2 a side elevation of the signal-transmittinig apparatus.

The contact-pen a is iixed to a hub or Wheel a', fast to a shaft a2, having its bearings in a suitable frame-Work inclosed Within the box 3o A. A lea .ling-Wheel a3 is also secured to the shaft a2,agaixist which Wheel bears a contactpen a, connected with the line. v

A motor mechanism is employed to rotate the shaft a?, which is herein shown as comprising a pinion 2, iixed to the shaft a2, and meshing' with a toothed Wheel 3, fixed to a shaft t, upon which latter shaft is secured the rotating clutch mechanism for the motor, so that the motor may be Wound as the shaft 4 is rotated in one direction and when the shaft is released the motor Will operate as the shaft moves in the opposite direction.

A scape-Wheel 5 is fixed to the shaft a2 for governing the speed of the motor. arm G is lixed to the Winding-shaft 4, which is connected to one end of a pivoted startinglever 7 by a link 8, the opposite end of the said starting-lever being provided with a finger-piece 9, the shank of which follows in a slot lO, cnt in the face of the box. It Will A crankthus be seen that as the starting-lever is depressed the motor Will be Wound and when let go the motor will operate to effect the rotation of the shaft c2, thereby rotating the contact-pen a.

A series of eoncaved signaling-surfaces b is adapted to be moved into the path of movement of the contact-pen, the said signalingsurfaces being herein shown as secured to a frame b,which moves upon guide-bars b2, the upper side of the said frame being provided with a rack-bar b3, which is engaged by a pinion b4, secured to a shaft b5, to one end of which a pointer b is secured and by which it is rotated. The shaft b5 has on it at its opposite end a toothed wheel c, which is engaged by one end of a pivoted latch c', the opposite end of said latch resting beneath the hooked end of the bent lever c2, pivoted at c3.. The bent lever c2 is moved by one or another stud c4, projecting from the face of the Wheel 3 of the motor.

The bent lever c2 and the means for Inoving it, together with the pivoted latch, forms a locking and releasing device substantially such as shown in another application filed by me, Serial No. 238,459. Y

In operation, the pointer is moved over a dial marked upon the face-plate of the box to any desired signal and the starting-lever operated, Which effects the rotation of the contact-pen over that particular signaling-surface which is brought into the path of movement of the pen by the rotation of the pointer.

The boX may be provided with a door of any suitable construction, if desired.

A break-Wheel w is mounted upon the shaf t agand a contact-pento is provided, the notched portion of the break-wheel being designed to transmit the box-number and occupying a position to change the condition of the circuit at the time the contact-pen a is moving over the long notched portion of the signaling-surface b, so that the box-number and signal Will be transmitted one after the other.

I claiml. In a signal-box, a rotatable contact-pen, combined With a series of signaling-surfaces arranged on a frame or carrier Which is movable in a direction parallel with the axis of IOO rotation of t-he contact-pen to present one or locking and releasing device for the toothed Io another signaling-surface to the contact-pen, Wheel, substantially as described. a pointer connected to said frame or carrier In testimony whereof I have signed my for moving it, and a dial, substantially as dename to this specification in the presence of scribed. Y two subscribing Witnesses.

2. In a signal-box, a rotatable contact-pen, JOHN. C. VILSON. a series ot' movable signaling-surfaces, com- Witnesses: bined With a rack-bar, toothed Wheel, and BERNICE J. NOYES,

means for moving the toothed Wheel, and a FRED L. EMERY. 

